Fishing Holidays West Cork Ireland

Beside fishing from the shores or off a boat from Inish Beg itself, there is a variety of fishing opportunities within an hours drive.

Game Fishing West Cork Ireland

• Ilen River (Inish Beg is located in the estuary of the River Ilen), “The Ilen gets a good run of spring salmon and grilse and an excellent run of sea trout. The first spring fish enter the river in March and it is worth fishing from the 20th of March. The main run is in April and May. The average size of spring fish is 10 lb. The first run of grilse coincides with the first flood in June and they continue to run through July and August. Access to fishing is good.” The season: 1 February to 30 September (salmon); 1 February to 12 October (sea trout).
• The Argideen River (Clonakilty), 40 minute drive – “The Argideen is primarily regarded as a sea trout fishery. A maximum of 6 rods are allowed per day and 20 by night. Anglers wishing to fish at night meet at the Inchy Bridge half an hour before dark where a draw for pools takes place.” The season: 15 February to 12 October (sea trout and brown trout); 15 February to 30 September (salmon).

Managed Community Trout Fisheries:

• Shepperton Lakes (Skibbereen), 15 minute drive – “Located in a scenic wooded area. The lake is mainly deep (to 40 ft.) with narrow, shallow, margins. Attractive shore angling sites off by-road at eastern end of lake and boats are available for hire. The lake holds a good stock of wild, native Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are stocked regularly to maintain a high stock density and give worth-while angling returns. Small Eels, Rudd and occasional Pike are also present.”
• Driminidy Lake (Drimoleague), 20 minute drive – “The surrounding land is level and boggy with water-lilies abundant off the lake’s margins. Attractive shore angling sites have been created and the lake holds above average sized wild native Brown Trout. Adult Rainbow Trout are regularly stocked to maintain a high stock density and give worthwhile angling returns.”
• Lough Bofinne (Bantry), 30 minute drive – “An attractive, convenient, 25 acre, clear water lake. A unique location, because two roads fringe 75% of the lake’s margin, creating exceptional shore angling facilities. Boats are available if required. An excellent stock of Rainbow Trout and some Brown Trout are present, and the lake is restocked regularly with adult Rainbow Trout to maintain a high stock density, and to give satisfactory angling returns. Occasional Pike, Perch, Eels and Rudd are also present.”
• Schull Reservoir (Schull), 30 minute drive – “This 5 acre, clear water mountain reservoir in scenic rugged terrain, overlooks Schull Harbour. A 100 yards solid path leads from car park to an ideal angling shoreline. Mainly shallow with a maximum depth of 18 feet, the fishery holds a good stock of small native Brown Trout and an excellent stock of Rainbow Trout, some small Eels and Rudd. Adult Rainbow Trout are stocked regularly to maintain a high stock density and to give satisfactory angling returns.”

Sea Angling West Cork Ireland

The region’s coastline is varied from magnificent sweeping bays, to rugged inlets to wide estuaries. In the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean warm water species such as blue shark and bass can be caught. Of course the cooler water species such as cod, coalfish and porbeagle are also an offer.Several charter boat operators operate out of Baltimore, mostly specialising in Shark, bottom and wreck fishing. Good catches of Pollock, Conger and Ling have been recorded from this area.Shore angling in the region is certainly some of the best in Western Europe but also under populated, its not unusual to spend a week fishing in the more remote areas without seeing another angler.Details above fromSouth Western Regional Fisheries BoardAtlantic Angling website with specific information on fishing conditions in Cork – types of fish, bait to use, etc.Baltimore

• Deep Sea Angling Festival, each August
• Fastnet Charters with Nick Dent; wreck fishing, reef fishing and shark fishing on fast sea angling boat Rooster; also available for diving, bird watching and whale watching

Bandon

• Salmon & Trout Fishing on the Bandon River

Cape Clear

• Baoite Mara Teo, chartered trips

Castletownshend

• Colin Barnes, charter angling, diving (finding wrecks a specialty), “Close Encounters with Dolphins & Whales” & bird watching

Schull

• Coquille Restaurant Sea Angling Competition, each May
• Courtyard Deep Sea Angling Competition, each July
• Schull Deep Sea Angling Festival, each August

Skibbereen

• River Ilen Angler’s Club (Skibbereen)